Kitchen tools can very much be a personal choice. However, the nine kitchen tools below will help make life easier when it comes to cookies and meal prep. And of course, I also listen to the ones you can do without and save some money on!
Before I delve into the list of my favorite kitchen tools, I hope it goes without saying that anyone learning to cook, starting their health journey or just messing around in the kitchen should have the following:
The list could go on but I'd rather not. Instead, what you'll find are new-age gadgets that actually make your life easier... and some that are just plain ridiculous ;)</span>
Kitchen Tools You'll Love
This handheld lemon squeezer is amazing! Squeezing one lemon is no biggie with your hands but squeezing 10-20 to make lemonade or any kind of pregnancy mocktails and this baby comes in handy.
A powerful blender. If you're just starting out on your health kick this isn't overly necessary. But eventually, want it. Trust me. I waited three years before I purchased my Vitamix and it's used every single day. And not just for smoothies but for any kind of no-bake recipe! Vitamix also comes with a seven-year warranty. Just saying 😉
Rolling garlic mincers are the best ten bucks you can spend! It's simple but effective. I suck at mincing garlic which means everyone ends up chewing raw garlic (most people don't like this) so this little mincer solves that problem. These make killer stocking stuffers
The smart stick makes soups and mini puddings a breeze.
Mesh strainers are perfect for straining pulp, almond milk and infused kombucha. I always find a use for them!
Silicone baking mats are my dream come true. I'm a meatball fanatic and this makes it easy to cook them in the oven because it drains the grease!
Another great stocking stuffer! This avocado 3 in 1 peeler is something I never thought I'd use. But after prepping 45 avocados one year to freeze for the season... it saved my sanity.
It seems overrated but you've never seen me pour! I'm a disaster. Bowls with pour spouts save a lot of clean up and waste for me.
Garlic peelers are another great option. Especially if you cook a lot of main meals. Garlic is a staple for boosting the immune system (like in this fire cider) and you need a lot!
And now let's quickly chat about the kitchen tools you DON'T need. The ones that seem like a good idea but really just take up space and money.
9 Kitchen Gadgets You Can Easily Live Without
Handheld egg crackers enrage me. My two-year-old crackers her own eggs for breakfast... you can too.
I'm not sure why anyone would need a specific apparatus to slice bananas when a knife works just fine. But here we are.
Pickle pickers make me laugh and I can actually see why you would purchase this (great for parties!). not a necessity but cute.
The pomegranate tool I think I would have bought a few years ago. Pomegranates always stumped me. Now, however, I have a great (albeit creepy) system to de-seed them!
Egg slicers. In its defense I guess it could be used for multiple foods. However, it's just more room on the counter. Use a knife.
I think everyone used to have an apple cutter back in the day! Personally, though, I just found using a knife took less time than finding the gadget. That said, my kiddos LOVE this apple peeler for when we're making crisps or cider!
Corn kernel strippers confuses the crap out of me. If you can't eat corn on the cob, buy frozen or can.
I love popcorn, like LOVE IT. And while I can see some people love this popcorn gadget (or actual popcorn machines) it's not exactly crucial to have in your kitchen. if you're looking to get away from bagged popcorn (which you should!) you can easily make popcorn on the stove and save yourself the space from this "tool".
And then there are the hands free pot stirrer. This piece of equipment is rather expensive so save yourself the money and buy food with it! While it might be tempting to pick up pot-stirrer (save yourself all that hassle of stirring soup 😛 ) it's a completely unnecessary tool for your kitchen.
And there we are! The necessities and the indulgences of kitchen tools! Whether you're trying to save space or simply don't want to waste your money this list can help set up and stock your kitchen to make food prepping and cooking!
I hope I've given you a good starter list or some fun stocking-stuffer ideas. At the very least you've got some gag gift ideas haha. Only opt for the kitchen tools you truly need and do away with the rest.
Vaishnavi
Wow. Awesome list! Never knew the garlic peeler existed 🙂 Haven't tried an avocado peeler too. Love the handheld lemon squeezer!
fitasamamabear
Thanks! For the longest time I was so against the avocado peeler! Then this year I pitted and peeled 50 avocados to freeze and it definitely came in handy! As for the lemon squeezer, it gets used almost every day!
Marie
Great list. I laughed when I read the list of tools you can do without. I have never even gearbox a lot of them. HA
fitasamamabear
Thanks for leaving a comment! I'm glad I could make you laugh 😉 Some of the easy kitchen "tools" they come out with just blow my mind. No one has room for so many silly gadgets!
John
Vitamix for the win! I've had mine for a few years and can't live without it. Glad you touched on it. 🙂
fitasamamabear
I think I would honestly die without mine lol
Mary
I totally agree and I almost daily use 7 of the items you have listed.
fitasamamabear
Love it! Everyone is different in their kitchen so I'm always curious what people actually use!
theconfusedsoulsree
Awesome compilation of the products. I really need to buy the garlic mincer.
fitasamamabear
Thanks! The garlic press definitely saves me time... I despise mincing lol
sweety
I just upgraded my kitchen with few items, I guess there are several other things that can make life easier for me!
fitasamamabear
If it makes you feel better there's always something haha though I do love this list!